We hope that the checklist for patients, as well as the other guides/information we have produced will be used by patients considering cosmetic surgery.

As you have highlighted a few different concerns in your email, I will try to add some comment for each. You have indicated some concern about incorrect information being given out by your surgeon and more generally the disclosure of information to patients. The College, as part of its work on cosmetic surgery has developed some resources for surgeons and cosmetic surgery providers. These include new Royal College of Surgeons Professional standards for cosmetic surgery. This details the ethics and behaviour expected of surgeons who perform cosmetic surgery. It is intended to compliment the General Medical Councils new guidance (Guidance for Doctors who Offer Cosmetic Interventions). We have also developed a certification scheme for surgeons which will allow surgeons to demonstrate high professional/clinical standards. In a broad sense, these measures are intended so that we can work with surgeons to make the industry safer for patients.

However, one of the main points you raised is regarding the highlighting of risks to patients and increasing patient awareness. This is of course one of the main reasons why the patient resources have been developed by the college. I am not able to comment specifically on risks associated with breast augmentation, but I will pass on your comments to our clinical lead who will be better informed in these matters.

We are continuing to look at ways to increase awareness of the resources we have produced and also to make improvements to the information that is available and will be reviewing the content currently available. We will include your feedback in this process. Please share our resources within your network as you feel appropriate.

Thank you for taking the time to provide this feedback, we will continue to look at ways we can improve the information we make available to patients.